Latest news with #BNPL
The Age
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Concert tickets are skyrocketing. Fans have come up with a worrying solution
When Bianca Wilmott wanted to surprise her boyfriend with two expensive tickets to Lady Gaga's upcoming Australian tour, she knew exactly how she was going to do it. The 32-year-old social media manager from Sydney's inner west turned to the buy now, pay later (BNPL) service Afterpay to cover the cost of her two $600 tickets. 'It's part of my budgeting, to be able to split the payment up … I wouldn't have [purchased tickets without Afterpay] because I wouldn't have wanted to make that big payment in one go,' says Wilmott, who was one of 11,500 people to purchase Lady Gaga tickets through the BNPL platform. Data provided by Afterpay showed that 1.5 million transactions were made in live entertainment in Australia over the 12 months to April 2025 amid a flurry of big international acts such as Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo, as well as our own Kylie Minogue. Later this year there's Gaga, Metallica, Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Oasis and Usher. And they are getting more expensive – last year, a Live Performance Australia report revealed that in 2023, the average concert ticket price jumped to $128.21, from $87.01 in 2022. And a report by Music Australia this year found that 'despite feeling less financially secure, young Australians are spending larger sums on entertainment and leisure in 2024 than they were in 2019' and are increasingly purchasing last-minute tickets that might 'break the bank'. Loading The report, titled Listening In: Insights on live music attendance, found that young people were driven by FOMO – fear of missing out – when it came to shelling out for international touring artists, often to the detriment of ticket sales for local talent. A fall in ticket sales for pub and club concerts, often featuring emerging artists, corresponded 'with a spate of big international acts touring Australia after the pandemic', the report says. While the report did not address how audiences bought tickets, it did find that 79 per cent of under 24s had saved money to purchase concert tickets, compared with 31 per cent of those over 40.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Concert tickets are skyrocketing. Fans have come up with a worrying solution
When Bianca Wilmott wanted to surprise her boyfriend with two expensive tickets to Lady Gaga's upcoming Australian tour, she knew exactly how she was going to do it. The 32-year-old social media manager from Sydney's inner west turned to the buy now, pay later (BNPL) service Afterpay to cover the cost of her two $600 tickets. 'It's part of my budgeting, to be able to split the payment up … I wouldn't have [purchased tickets without Afterpay] because I wouldn't have wanted to make that big payment in one go,' says Wilmott, who was one of 11,500 people to purchase Lady Gaga tickets through the BNPL platform. Data provided by Afterpay showed that 1.5 million transactions were made in live entertainment in Australia over the 12 months to April 2025 amid a flurry of big international acts such as Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo, as well as our own Kylie Minogue. Later this year there's Gaga, Metallica, Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Oasis and Usher. And they are getting more expensive – last year, a Live Performance Australia report revealed that in 2023, the average concert ticket price jumped to $128.21, from $87.01 in 2022. And a report by Music Australia this year found that 'despite feeling less financially secure, young Australians are spending larger sums on entertainment and leisure in 2024 than they were in 2019' and are increasingly purchasing last-minute tickets that might 'break the bank'. Loading The report, titled Listening In: Insights on live music attendance, found that young people were driven by FOMO – fear of missing out – when it came to shelling out for international touring artists, often to the detriment of ticket sales for local talent. A fall in ticket sales for pub and club concerts, often featuring emerging artists, corresponded 'with a spate of big international acts touring Australia after the pandemic', the report says. While the report did not address how audiences bought tickets, it did find that 79 per cent of under 24s had saved money to purchase concert tickets, compared with 31 per cent of those over 40.
India Today
12 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Is lifestyle inflation fuelling debt among India's middle class?
The paycheque is bigger, but the wallet feels thinner. Across urban India, many salaried professionals are earning more than they did five years ago, yet they're still anxious at the end of each month, juggling EMIs, credit card bills, and shrinking culprit isn't just stagnant salaries or rising costs. It's what personal finance experts call lifestyle inflation—the quiet, creeping habit of spending more as you earn it's starting to show up in debt IS LIFESTYLE INFLATION? Lifestyle inflation refers to the tendency to increase spending in line with income growth. A salary hike often triggers upgrades: a bigger house, a newer car, fancier gadgets, or more frequent eating out. But these expenses can quickly outpace actual earning power if not kept in check.'It's a major concern,' says Abhishek Kumar, SEBI-registered investment advisor and founder of SahajMoney. 'Even professionals earning substantial salaries are left with limited disposable income. As their income grows, so do their expenses, often faster than the income itself.'Over time, this pattern erodes financial flexibility. A higher salary that once promised upward mobility ends up funding short-term gratification and long-term liabilities.A SALARY HIKE, FOLLOWED BY AN EMIWith every job switch or annual raise, many professionals slide into bigger EMIs and costlier routines. But when those income jumps are modest, the math doesn't hold. 'High earners are increasingly falling into what I call the 'new middle class.' They earn well but feel stretched every month,' says Now, Pay Later (BNPL) schemes, no-cost EMIs, and credit card offers make it easier than ever to overspend. 'These products change behaviour. They make expensive purchases seem affordable by breaking them into smaller chunks, but the cumulative burden strains monthly budgets,' he often creeps in gradually until repayments consume a third or more of someone's WARNING SIGNSThe red flags of lifestyle overextension often go unnoticed. 'Living paycheck to paycheck despite a good salary, relying on credit for groceries or bills, dipping into savings for everyday needs—these are all warning signs,' Kumar use of short-term loans, missing credit card due dates, and falling credit scores are also markers that someone is living beyond their patterns are no longer rare. Personal loan growth among salaried urban professionals is at a record high, and delinquencies in BNPL accounts have been rising SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDSThe psychological triggers behind lifestyle inflation are just as strong as the financial ones. 'FOMO is real,' Kumar notes. 'Social media creates the impression that everyone else is doing better. That pressure pushes people to upgrade faster than they can afford.'A curated life on Instagram or an aspirational reel can influence everything from vacation plans to restaurant bills. But these comparisons often come at a financial SAVINGSadvertisementPerhaps the most damaging effect of lifestyle inflation is what it crowds out: long-term savings. 'When people spend more on lifestyle, they invest less for the future. And those early years are critical for building wealth,' Kumar out on compounding in your 20s or early 30s can delay financial goals by years. A few indulgences now might mean postponing retirement or taking on more risk restraint doesn't mean austerity, but balance is key. 'Start with the 50-30-20 rule. Allocate 50 percent to needs, 30 to wants, and 20 to savings and investments. It helps you stay grounded,' Kumar also recommends automating investments, limiting EMIs to essential purchases, and using a 24-hour pause before big-ticket buys. 'Clarity is crucial. It's not just about what you earn, but how you make that income work for your life goals.'Because income alone doesn't build wealth. Discipline does.
Zawya
13 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt: U Consumer Finance's shares to start trading on EGX as of June 23rd
Arab Finance: Trading on the shares of U Consume Finance (valU) on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) will start as of Monday, June 23 rd, 2025, according to a bourse disclosure. The opening price will be based on the execution price of the share distribution transaction stipulated in the disclosure report for trading purposes, valued at EGP 0.777. The shares will be added to the list of securities permitted for trading with a price increment of EGP 0.001. Meanwhile, the price limits on valU's shares during the first trading session shall be within the range of the nominal value of EGP 0.10 as minimum and the fair value of EGP 7.40 at maximum, as stipulated in the disclosure report. The buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) platform temporarily listed its shares on EGX last May after obtaining EFG Holding's approval for the transaction. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Will PGIM's $3B Facility Help Affirm Scale its BNPL Offerings Fast?
Affirm Holdings, Inc. AFRM has expanded its partnership with PGIM Fixed Income by establishing a new $3 billion revolving loan sale facility. This arrangement allows PGIM, a Prudential Financial, Inc. PRU unit, to purchase up to $500 million of Affirm's consumer loans at any given time over a 36-month period. This pass-through facility builds on PGIM's earlier $500 million investment made in December 2024 and reflects growing confidence in Affirm's loan portfolio. Through this facility, Affirm secured a reliable and flexible funding source for its buy now, pay later ('BNPL') offerings without the need to frequently tap volatile public debt markets. This development is significant because it enhances Affirm's financial stability and scalability. The revolving structure provides predictable access to capital, allowing Affirm to support loan growth and meet consumer demand even in fluctuating market conditions. It also demonstrates how large institutional investors like PGIM (over $145 billion in AUM) are increasingly embracing private credit arrangements with fintech companies. This is a positive signal for the broader BNPL industry as it matures into an asset class that significantly appeals to mainstream credit investors. Financially, the deal improves Affirm's funding flexibility and may reduce its overall cost of capital by limiting reliance on more expensive or less predictable public financing options. It also helps manage balance sheet risks, as the revolving structure caps the loan exposure at any time, ensuring liquidity and operational efficiency. Overall, this facility strengthens Affirm's capital position, supports growth and boosts investor confidence in its long-term business model. How PayPal and Block Are Expanding in the BNPL Space? PayPal Holdings, Inc. PYPL is strengthening its BNPL presence by launching a new physical PayPal Credit Mastercard, expanding usage both online and in stores. PYPL is also piloting in-store 'Pay Later' options in Germany, aligning with its 'PayPal Everywhere' strategy to drive broader adoption across retail channels. Meanwhile, Block, Inc. 's XYZ Afterpay is deepening its BNPL reach by integrating services into Cash App, offering in-app financing for eligible users. Additionally, Afterpay has expanded partnerships with merchants like StitchFix, PetMeds and Mejuri, enhancing its visibility at checkout. Both PayPal and Block are targeting seamless omnichannel experiences to capture the growing BNPL market. Affirm's Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates Shares of Affirm have gained 1.3% year to date, underperforming the broader industry and in line with the S&P 500 Index. Affirm's YTD Price Performance From a valuation standpoint, Affirm trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 5.09X, down from the industry average. AFRM carries a Value Score of F. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Affirm's fiscal 2025 earnings implies a 100.6% improvement year over year, followed by massive growth next year. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and Sells We're not kidding. Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent. Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators, and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone. See Stocks Now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU): Free Stock Analysis Report PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL): Free Stock Analysis Report Affirm Holdings, Inc. (AFRM): Free Stock Analysis Report Block, Inc. (XYZ): Free Stock Analysis Report
